Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken about his expectations for Phil Foden in the wake of a difficult 2024/25 campaign.
Phil Foden was instrumental in helping Manchester City lift an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title in 2023/24.
And though Foden suffered a downturn in form last season, he looked bright at the Club World Cup, suggesting his previous issues are past him.
The England international was absent against Wolves but he is now back to full fitness and ready to face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola, speaking ahead of the Spurs game, sang Foden’s praises and shared what he’s always telling him, along with setting him a goal for the season.
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Pep Guardiola tells ‘extraordinary’ Phil Foden he can be even better
Guardiola described Foden as “massively important” during the 2023/24 campaign and deemed him a “top class and extraordinary player”.
The City boss also said he’s always trying to convince Foden he can be better, and suggested the goal for him is to regain consistency.
“Phil, what can I say?” Guardiola told the City media team.
“The last Premier League we won, he was massively important and the best Premier League player.
“Phil is a top class and extraordinary player, and I try to convince him he can be better – he can read the situations better, but his joy to play he is unique.
“With Phil, the same applies as it does with Rodri and the consistency we are looking for.
“[He had] the problem in his ankle, but he’s fine and much better.
“I never would doubt Phil’s quality and what he gives to us, so for him to be happy and play and train [is what we want], because in 90 minutes he will always give you something special.
“Maybe after the first season he was a 6 or 7 [out of 10] and there was a little drop. If he learned a lesson from that that would be great.
“You can’t always be like you were and he’s been incredibly consistent all these years and this is what we’re looking for.”
Phil Foden makes admission about last season
Foden recently admitted that he wasn’t at his best last season, but he is optimistic about what’s to come in 2025/26.
“It wasn’t a great year, but now I want to be myself again and enjoy playing,” Foden said in July.
“Playing against new teams is a good way to get back into rhythm.”
Back in January, Foden admitted that he had felt burned out – physically and mentally.
